New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-09-25
WHO BEGAN THE CONFLICT
THE FIRST GUN FIREDIN THE CIVIL WAR.

SOUTH CAROLINA's FRIENDS AT wAsHISGTON-FORr
MOULTRIR FIRING ON THE STAR OF THE WEST.
One of those who figured prominently in the early
days Of the Rebellion and whose was associated
with that Of General Scott and Major Anderson, the
"Hero of Fort SUMTER" Captain John MCGOWAN,
of the oldest officers Of the Revenue Marine Service
and retired from active duty. For several months
no has been at deaths door with complication OF
bodily ailments, but he is now able to walk ABOUT
little and to SEQ his old associates and friends lie
IA still in feeble condition, however and as he Is
eighytwo years OF age he cannot be expected TO take
active part again In the defence Of his country His
experiences in his Tong service in tho revenue marine,
In the merchant marne in the Navy, including those
In the Mexican and Civil wars make an interesting
chapter.
reporter of THE TRIBUNE with much
difficulty because of the old veterans deafness and
his natural dindcnce talk of himself, obtained in
chat with him many facts connected with his COM
mand OF the steamer Star of the West, when under
fire Of the guns Of Fort Moultrie in attempting to
land rcinfOcements and supplies at Fort sumter In
January, 1861. 1t was December 80, 1860, that
General Scott wrote to President Buchanan, asking
him to overlook any seeming rrcgularty in his zeal
In calling attention to tho fact that it of the high
est Importance that there should not DO a moments
delay In sending supplies and to Major Anderson
at Fort Sumter to prevent it falling into the hands of
the sccessionists lie begged that he might be per-
which he believed was treachcrous to the Governments
and secretly possible, send 80 soldiers from
New York to reinforce Fort sumter, together with
some rifles, ammunition and subsistence lie
also hoped that "a sOOp of-war and cutter may be
ordered for the same purpose as early as to MORROW"
PRESIDENT BUCHANAN's INDIFFERENCE.
But his requests were not needed by the President
AMI on January =, 1oOl Major Anderson again warned
the war Department that 1.-THE south Caronians have
established post at Fort Johnson" also that work
had begun to establish batteries lat Fort Johnson and
Morris Island for throwing shot and shell from
those places and Fort Moutre." Major Anderson had
frequently warned the War Department OF the "ag-
gress:ve preparations tor conflict" being made In
Charleston harbor, yet in the OF these indirect
declarations OF aganSe the Federal Government,
and the appeals from Major Anderson and General
Scott, neither the President secretary of
would do anything to protect the Government property
I'm that harbor
The necessity for doing something was so strongly
urged By General scott, tho receipt Of the last
message from Major Anderson, that President Blu
chanan recnted, and Adutant General Thomas
was sent to Now York on January 3, to charter
steamer to transport both men and supplies Fort
sumter His report to General Scott the following
day in part follows:
81 had an interview with Captain A. H. Schultz,
and together we vlstsd NJ o. Roberts. The latter
looks exclusively to the dollars while Mr.. schultz
Is acting tor the good of his country Mr.. Roberts
required 3 800 per day for ten days for the star Of
the West besides the cost Of 800 OF coal, which
declined. But, after a long consultation, became
satisfied that the movement could be made with his
vessel without exciting suspicion finally chartered
her az 81 80 per day"
In a letter Of instructions TO Lieutenant Charles
r. wood, WHO was TO command the detachment of
soldiers sent, AdIutant-Gcnera Thomas wrote Tho
duty on which you are now placed, by direction OF
the General In hcf win require and energy on
part TO execute uccessully, for Is important
that all your movements be kept possible.
Accordingly, on approaching the Charleston bar, you
Will place below decks your entire force in order that
only the ordinary may be seen by persons the
shore. Every ppcautlon must be rcsorted to 10 pre-
vent being fired upon by batteries erected either
Sullly ans lanes i.fand1